The Tennessee Titans appear to be in a troubling quagmire early in the 2024 NFL season, finding themselves at 0-2 following a 24-17 stumble against the New York Jets in Week 2. This loss has intensified scrutiny on Will Levis, the young quarterback whose audacious play could be both a blessing and a curse for the Titans' aspirations.
In a game marked by crucial errors, Levis threw a controversial pass to Tyjae Spears, leading to a fumble that the Jets capitalized on, swinging the momentum firmly in their favor. Offensive Coordinator Callahan minced no words in his postgame critique, labeling the decision "dumb." Levis, aware of his growing reputation for high-risk plays, acknowledged the gravity of the mistake. "He told us straight off, he's not a yeller and screamer, but he can be and there's certain situations that allow for that, and that definitely was one of those situations," Levis said. "I didn't bat an eye at it. I took the coaching."
The critical error reflects a broader issue as Levis has had three interceptions and two fumbles in just two games. This trend is concerning, especially for a player whose daring style caused him to slip in the 2023 NFL Draft, where he was the 33rd overall pick. Despite the setbacks, Levis' mature response to the criticism has not gone unnoticed. "I was yelling at myself in my head the same way he was yelling at me," Levis revealed. "I know it's an emotional response that we all have after things like that. We were right back to it, and he had confidence in me on the next play taking that shot. That was cool to feel, coming back on the field after that turnover, even though we had another one after that. I don't have any problem with how he handled himself."
Levis recognizes the need for better decision-making as crucial for both his improvement and the Titans' success. "I think a lot of people, when they hear gunslinger, they think about recklessness. I definitely feel like I was a little too reckless in my college career and tried to make some throws that I would want to take back," he said. "I changed that mentality a bit in my play last year. Just realizing at the level that I was playing at where I had to be that much more careful with the ball. I was proud of how I was able to protect it a little more than I did in my college years."
The Titans, despite their rocky start, have set their sights on a playoff run this season. "The goal for the 2024 Titans is to make a playoff run," Levis stated. This ambition makes their performance in the upcoming games critical, starting with their matchup against the Green Bay Packers this Sunday. The Packers will be without their starting quarterback Jordan Love, with Malik Willis stepping in due to injury, a factor that might tilt the scales in favor of the Titans.
Levis' reputation as a risk-taker makes every game an unpredictable adventure. While this approach has its pitfalls, the young quarterbackâs willingness to learn from his mistakes suggests a promising, albeit tumultuous, journey ahead for him and the Titans. The forthcoming game against the Packers will be another test, not just for Levis' decision-making but also for the Titans' resilience in overcoming early-season adversity.